Davis back on mound in win for Cougars

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION – The initial prognosis for Jefferson Cougars sophomore Bradley Davis was not favorable for him to return as a pitcher this season.

Over time, doctors discovered Davis’ injury would not require him to undergo Tommy John surgery, so he returned to the mound Saturday for the first time since last season’s Class AAA sub-regional game against Hedgesville Saturday to face Pendleton County.

“We really didn’t think we were going to have Bradley back this season,” Jefferson coach John Lowery said. “He’s been feeling a lot better, has gotten (medical) clearance, has gotten the MRI and is cleared to get back in the fray, so to speak.”

“I was looking forward to pitching when coach Lowery told me earlier this week that I was going to start,” Davis said. “I just had to prepare myself for it and got ready for game time.

“I was getting a little frustrated during the beginning of the year not playing, but getting back on the mound felt amazing. I am happy to be back.”

Davis pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out six, all while getting eight runs of support in an 8-3 victory.

“My changeup was working, and my fastball had a lot of life to it,” Davis said. “My curveball is getting there, but it is not as great as it used to be. My changeup and fastball are back to normal.”

Jefferson took advantage of three Pendleton County errors to get ahead early.

Paul Witt reached on an error, while Andrew King reached on a second Wildcat error. Charlie Barnholt was walked intentionally to load the bases. An error on a potential fielder’s choice scored Witt. Austin Bulman cleared the bases with a double to put Jefferson up 4-0.

“(Austin) Bulman had the big hit in the first inning,” Lowery said. “That was the key to the game because it gave us a margin of comfort that we were able to maintain throughout the game.”

It helped ease any pressure Davis might’ve been feeling, too.

The Cougars doubled their lead with a run in the third and three more in the fourth.

In the bottom of the third, Barnholt singled and stole second. A single by Garrett Everton brought him in to score.

Brody Price singled to right field in the fourth before being brought in on an infield single by Everton. Witt tripled to left-center to drive in Everton, and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Pendleton County rounded out the scoring with three runs in the top of the fifth.

Trey Cooper singled and stole second. Callum McGrath drove in Cooper with a single to the plate to put the Wildcats on the board. Jesse Lambert hit a two-run home run to left to make the score 8-3.